SeaWorld to help launch 'Sea Rescue' TV show

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has entered a partnership with Litton Entertainment to produce "Sea Rescue," a Saturday-morning television show that will demonstrate the rehabilitation -- and the return to the wild -- of rescued marine animals. It will debut April 7 with host Sam Champion of "Good Morning America" fame.

In Central Florida, "Sea Rescue" will air Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on WFTV-Channel 9.

"I grew up watching family-friendly shows like 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' and 'Wild Kingdom.' These shows entertained us with beautiful images of nature, yet taught us that we are the guardians of delicate wildlife," Champion says. "It's a dream come true to share stories of the dedicated men and women who devote their lives to rescuing animals in danger."

In most of the country's TV markets, "Sea Rescue" will air on ABC affilliates after "Good Morning America" as part of a three-hour block of programming designated as Litton's Weekend Adventures.

SeaWorld's rescue teams are on call around the clock, said Jim Atchison, chief executive officer and president of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

"Every day is a new adventure, whether airlifting a manatee by helicopter out of the Everglades, replicating mother's milk for an orphaned gray whale, or creating a back brace for a stranded pilot whale with scoliosis," Atchison says.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is best known for its 10 U.S. theme parks including SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa. It has also expanded into entertainment venues such as movies, TV and digital media.